E AT & D R I N K
REVIEW
Lamarina
450 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach; 561/371-8380
Clockwise from above: chocolate hazelnut torte, Lamarina roll and Maine lobster spaghetti
IF YOU GO PARKING: Valet HOURS: Tuesday – Friday lunch 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.; Tuesday – Sunday dinner 5-11 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday brunch 11 a.m.– 3 p.m. PRICES: $18 – $68 WEBSITE: lamarinawestpalm.com
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e’re fortunate to live in a time and place with countless options for sustenance, from delis and fast casual spots to family-owned eateries and Michelin-starred restaurants. But what keeps people coming back to a particular restaurant? Yes, it may be their favorite cuisine, but ultimately, it’s the service. The goal may be to foster that “Cheers” nostalgia, where everybody knows your name, but even if you’ve never been there and you feel welcomed, cared for and at home— that’s great service. Don’t get me wrong: The food needs to be well-prepared, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be perfect. If the service is exceptional, the“going out”part of the dining experience hits it out of the park— for me anyway. At Lamarina, I was amazed by the service. The two young gentlemen—one training the other— who waited on us were outstanding. They mastered the art of being there when needed without hov-
ering uncomfortably. When our table wobbled, it was immediately fixed. When our wine glasses were nearly empty, we were asked if we wanted more. When new dishes arrived, they came with shared utensils. I even asked the trainee about a specific ingredient, and he not only knew what it was but eagerly shared how the kitchen preserved the lemon before dicing it for the meatballs. The mostly outdoor restaurant (there is an indoor dining space) is located at Safe Harbor Rybovich Marina. As we waited for our Lamb Meatballs ($20) and Lamarina Roll ($26), we were treated to sprawling views of mega yachts—a fun start to the meal. While the menu focuses on seafood with its raw bar and sushi options, it leans Mediterranean with inspired plates. The meatballs are served with warm, fluffy pita, which I slathered with thick labneh and topped with a small piece of the tender, juicy meatball. In the next bite, I enjoyed the cilantro, pickled shallots and
preserved lemon with the meatball. All the bright flavors came together in a wonderfully memorable bite that I’d come back for. My dinner companion has traveled the world and affirmed the namesake roll is one of the best she has ever had. With eight very hearty pieces filled with king crab and avocado, then topped with torched salmon, truffle miso glaze and petite jalapeño slices, it is a flavor-packed roll that hits the spot. Our waiter raved about the signature Maine Lobster Spaghetti ($56). While it didn’t sound exciting on the menu, it delivered a pound of tender lobster with sizable pieces in al dente pasta, tossed in a spicy pomodoro with an unoffensive heat kick. The three-layer Chocolate Hazelnut Torte ($16) was a moist, delicate, airy treat to finish our meal while we enjoyed the yachts and fresh sea air from the comfort of the spacious covered patio, a scene that easily made us feel as if we were somewhere along the Mediterranean.
CARINA MASK
Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT
bocamag.com • • • • February 2026
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